What’s in my beauty bag for our family holiday? Come and see

Robert Browning was a clever man. This much I have learned. Over time and the hard way. Who, you might ask? He is the man who brought us the three-word-phrase that has become my mantra in every aspect of my life (except when it comes to chocolate and packing).

So, what is this philosophical gem?

 “Less is More”

This brings me to the hottest topic of discussion in our household currently – holiday packing – a.k.a grounds for divorce. To give you some background, I’m not sure which of the following is true, but I am certain that one is:

A) I was born in the wrong country – no disrespect intended to my beautiful Emerald Isle. I do love you, battered and broken into submission as you may have been.

B) The plate-tectonics manager in the sky just pushed us to the incorrect part of our planet.

Either way, I was pre-programmed to desire and thrive under UV rays. But much as I absolutely adore going on my holliers to France, I hate, in equal parts, the organising and packing that accompanies.

Some stuff you just have to take: T-shirts, shorts, passports, children, husband, but some stuff you can whittle down to the bare minimum. This, my friends, is the summary of what can only be described as my race to the bottom. The much-revised essentials for Mum list (bear in mind we drive!).

My make-up bag:

• Bare Minerals Bronzer Compact
• Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
• Benefit eye-brow kit
• MAC mineralize face powder
• MAC twistable black kohl pencil
• MAC False Lashes Waterproof black mascara
• MAC eye shadow palette – Christmas mineralize edition but similar here
• MAC lipglass C Thru
• MAC Studio Finish concealer
• MAC Wash & Dry Technakohl liner in black

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue is my hero find this year. I’m not a product expert but this stuff is FANTASTIC. I’ve completely replaced my summer make-up with it as it doubles as a moisturiser and SPF – multi-tasking products mean more ‘me-time’.

The Suncreams

• LRP Anthelios SPF50 kids. I use this regularly and it has never caused a rash on the 1st born, who incidentally gets rashes from other sunscreens.
• LRP Anthelios SPF30 for hubster and I.
• LRP Anthelios XL SPF50 Ultra light tinted fluid for face.
• LRP Posthelios After Sun Gel – pop this in the fridge… if you dare.
• Parasol once daily SPF20+ I love that this is an Irish-made product too.

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL tinted fluid is amazing – it really disappears into your skin (hands up anyone who has slathered on SPF 50 and looked like they had a sudocreme fight?). It’s super-light so glides on in one quick smear, because let’s face it, that’s all the time you have.

SPF is a hot topic amongst my friends with kids this year – some experts are now saying anything over a SPF30 is pointless and may even have some negative effects (blocked pores leading to heat rash, blocking out Vitamin D). I have never had a bad experience with La Roche Posay, and it’s used for such short periods during the year, I am happy with my choice.

The Washbag



I normally need a trailer alone for this. It’s the one area you could just keep loading until you almost have a mini pharmacy. This is the final cut.

• NuxeNuxellence Eclat Youth & Radiance Revelaing anti-ageing care.
• Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse or Dry Oil – I have the plain and shimmer version of this oil. I ADORE it. This is the non-shimmer one. I even use it on my face a few times weekly.
• La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution– use with a cotton pad to remove make-up – it’s the perfect lazy gal solution.
• La Roche Posay Hydraphase intense legere – face moisturiser.
• Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque – this is like a rehydrating drip for your skin.
• Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser – I use this every few days – it’s is amazing stuff.
• Clarisonic face & body brush – I use mine 2-3 times a week on my face, it’s fantastic.
• La Roche Posay Hydraphase Eyes.
• Liz Earle hand cream.
• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Chanel Mademoiselle perfumes.
• Bed Head Urban Recovery Shampoo for ultra dry hair – I decant this into Penneys travel bottles.
• Mark Hill MiracOILicious Moroccan Argan Oil.
• Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray – Nuff said – spray on wet hair and leave to own devices.
• K-pak Liquid Reconstructor – my highlighted hair loves this.
• Batiste XXL dry shampoo – essential with kids.
• Sanex Paraben-free deodorant.
• Dental floss harps from Penneys.

As Mums, we leave our needs until the end, every time. We overpack in haste or under pack to much frustration. This are my essentials. Hopefully you might get some ideas here.

Now, I’m just wondering how to fit the kitchen sink into the roof box!

Cliona O’Connor is a stay-at-home-mum of three, soon to be four, who recently gave up her Medical Rep job in favour of full-time chaos. She blogs about her adventures at leanmeanmomma.ie. Follow her LeanMeanMomma blog or on instagram, on Twitter @leanmeanmomma or on Facebook.